Catching the news, I happened to notice the beautiful state of Colorado experienced its third colossal snowstorm of the season. Of course, it always snows in Colorado, so who is surprised by this?

I only visited the state of Colorado once. I had to go to Colorado Springs for some business, so I added a couple of days for pleasure. All business and no pleasure makes for a very boring trip.

Hearing about the snow possibilities in that part of our country, I carefully planned my trip in the month of August. Experience has taught me it does not snow in August.

I remember one time living in New York and it snowed on the Fourth of July. Therefore, taking my vast experience into my confidence, I decided to make the trip to Colorado in August.

When I got there the weather was beautiful. The mountain view from our hotel room was spectacular. In fact, from our hotel room I could see Pike’s Peak. The Gracious Mistress of the Parsonage accompanied me on this business/pleasure trip and agreed with me that the Rocky Mountains were spectacular.

As we were eating our Rocky Mountain breakfast, consisting of buffalo meat and Idaho potato home fries, followed by plenty of hot coffee, a plan began to bubble up through the ooze of my cranium.

Turning to my wife with a twinkle dancing in my left eye, I exposed her to my delectable plan. “After lunch today,” I confidently told her, “let’s take a trip up Pike’s Peak.”

Not often do I have a plan she so eagerly embraces and even says, “That’s a great plan.” That phrase has lingered in my mind for many years. Perhaps because it is the only time I have ever heard that phrase tumble so cheerfully from her lips.

It was settled. We would take care of our business before lunch, have a wonderful lunch and then trek up Pike’s Peak in the afternoon. It was the kind of plan that makes you spontaneously giggle throughout the day.

Everything worked fine up to lunch. While perusing the menu I happened to notice buffalo meat offered everywhere. They had buffalo for every thing.

Some of the stuff I could not quite understand and was afraid to order. For example, what are buffalo chips? Are they similar to potato chips? Being in foreign territory, I was afraid to order.

We had a marvelous table by the window with a spectacular view of Pike’s Peak. During our lunch, while admiring the view, my wife happened to point out something I had not noticed before.

Pointing to Pike’s Peak, she observed, “Look at all those clouds on the top of Pike’s Peak. Will that hinder our trip?”

I had to admit it was rather cloudy on the top, but I assured her as one who is all wise it was nothing to worry about. I have noticed how wonderful ignorance is. The less you know the less you have do worry about. I might point out at this point in our lunch I had absolutely nothing to worry about. My better half seemed to know a little more than I did, for she engaged in a little spat of worry.

We finished our lunch and headed for our destination, Pike’s Peak. Although from our window seat it looked rather close, it took us about an hour’s drive to get there. During our drive, my wife worried about all those clouds on top. I did a silly thing; I snickered to myself concerning her frivolous worry. (He who snickers to himself has a fool for a comedian.)

When we arrived at the bottom of the mountain I parked our car and went over to purchase our tickets to begin our ascent to the top. Even though it was August, my wife insisted we bring along sweaters. Just between you and me, and don’t let this get back to her, I sure was glad she insisted on bringing those sweaters. There seemed to be a sharp little nip in the air I recognized as “cold.”

“These Rocky Mountains sure can be nippy even in the summer,” I cautiously observed. She simply smiled as we walked over to purchase our tickets.

Then we were to get the surprise of our week.

“I’m sorry folks,” the young lady behind the ticket counter said. “The lift to the top of Pike’s Peak is closed today.”

With a stunned look on my face, I queried, “Why?”

She gave me one of those looks implying she thought I was a wee bit crazy. Then she said in a rather sarcastic tone, “Why, it’s snowing on Pike’s Peak, as if you didn’t know.” Then she added, as if to rub salt into my wounded pride, “The lift never runs on days it snows.”

“But,” I foolishly protested, “it’s August.”

She looked at me benignly and simply smiled. I hate those smiles.

Walking back to our car, a thought rumbled in my mind. You really can’t count on anything anymore, even it not snowing in August in Colorado.

On the drive back to our hotel, a verse from the Bible buzzed in my mind. “Let your conversation be without covetousness; and be content with such things as ye have: for he hath said, I will never leave thee, nor forsake thee.” (Hebrews 13:5 KJV.)